MORE newbie questions!

[valsey]

Okay - just got 3 Pekins that are about 4 weeks old. The weather is gorgeous here during the day (70's), but still going into the 40's at night. And I'm sure we'll be hit with some more cold weather. But these ducks are taking over my laundry room. So:

• when can I put them out in a pen at night and do I need to keep a light on them?
• it hasn't taken long for them to become friendly, but I'm still working on it - they're still a bit skittish of me. How can I herd them in if I want to keep them out during the day and bring them into the house at night?
• do you think they'll be safe in an enclosed area with no cover at this age? (4' fenced chain link)
• Will these guys know when to get out of the water if it's available to them? I'm afraid they'll stay in it and become water logged and chilled

These guys need some space!

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[valsey]

Sorry - one more thing - how thoroughly do I need to clean a pen for the ducks that was previously used for chickens. Does disease pass from chickens to ducks?

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I would not let them swim unattended or without being dried off afterwards until they are fully feathered. They can drown if they tire, and may not be water proofed yet.

Personally I wouldn't trust ducklings that young with just a chain link fence and no cover. Not sure where you are, or what predators you face, but even with me, here in the more "city" part of town, we have hawks and then of course area cats and dogs, that could pose a risk to ducklings.

Any way to make a smaller, predator proof enclosure for them?

 

[valsey]

I've been putting them in a 'cage' that's about 3'x3' for a hour or so the last couple of days. But it's so small all they do is sit. I could put them in the 10'x10' pen that will be theirs, but I need to clean it out...chickens in there at one time.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

That would probably be your best bet, just to be safe rather than sorry, ya know? As for temperatures, as long as it stays nice and warm, you should be fine during the day, I would bring them in again if it gets too chilly though. But at this age, depending on how well they're feathered, it would do them some good to be outside part of the time, assuming they are safe from predators and drowning.

Good luck with your babies!

 

[Duck_feeder]

Quote:
There are lots of diseases that can be transferred between bird species. After basic cleaning you can spray down everything with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. Cheap, effective, and environmentally friendly.

 

[valsey]

Quote:
There are lots of diseases that can be transferred between bird species. After basic cleaning you can spray down everything with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. Cheap, effective, and environmentally friendly.

Thanks -
Any worries about the dirt flooring?